Human Activities
Fishing
Commercial
Trends: Commercial Landings
A figure showing trends in fishing catch (pounds, left y-axis) and economic value (dollars, right y-axis) for seven major fisheries around the Channel Islands (2000 to 2012). Figure credit: Leeworthy et al. 2014a.
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Trends over time in commercial fishing activity in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) based on landings pounds (blue bars) and value (dark blue line) for seven fisheries from 2000 to 2012. Landings were combined for twenty-two blocks that overlap substantially with the sanctuary (see Figure App.C4.3. for map). Landings for market squid, sardine, and anchovy declined recently while landings of crabs increased. Landings of sea urchin, spiny lobster, and prawn and shrimp were relatively stable. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.4 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Recreational
Fishing activity (number of trip and number of anglers per trip) for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.
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Fishing activity (number of trip and number of anglers per trip) for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.2a in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.
A figure of Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) trips and anglers per trip accross years (2000 to 2012). Figure credit: Chen et al. 2015b.
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Fishing activity landings for Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (CPFVs) operating out of ports in Santa Barbara and Ventura from 2000 to 2012. Activity landings in 2011 and 2012 returned to levels seen in the early 2000s. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.2b in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Oil & Gas
A figure showing trends in offshore oil and gas activity in Southern California from 1975 to 2014. Data source: Annual reports of the California State Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources; Figure credit: K. Andrews/NOAA.
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The status and trends of offshore oil and gas activity in southern California was measured using a normalized index of oil and gas production from offshore wells in state and federal waters in California. Activity has been stable over the last five years, but the short-term average was well below the long-term average (dashed green line). A rather steady decrease in oil and gas production has occurred since the mid-1990s. Data source: B. Owens/CDFW; Figure credit: NOAA. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.17 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Oil & Gas Maps
Offshore Oil Platforms
A map of offshore oil platforms within the Santa Barbara Channel, from west to east: Hondo, Harmony, Heritage, Holly, C, B, A, Hillhouse, Habitat, Henry, Houchin, Hogan, Rincon Island, Grace, Gilda, Gail, and Gina. Data source: State of California GeoPortal; Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA
2015 Refugio Oil Spill
A map showing the area around the Santa Barbara Coast affected by the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. Data source: Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Technique (SCAT) Shoreline Oiling. Map. Map: M. Cajandig/NOAA
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Diagonal black lines cover the area where oil sheen was observed after the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill. The dark black line indicates the short-term fishery closures. See Figures C2.4 and C13.5 for the modeled oil transport, which predicts crude oil reaching sanctuary waters, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz islands north-facing beaches days after the spill. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.3 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.
A map showing projected oil movement following the Refugio Oil Spill in May 2015. Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.
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Modeled oil trajectories based on high frequency (HF) radar and averaged sea surface current vectors during the month of May 2015 (green and blue lines). Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS HF Radar stations, and oil platforms are shown as small gray dots. The HF station at Gaviota was installed immediately after the spill to avoid local data gaps during this critical monitoring time period. It was only active for one and a half months. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point; SSD = Summerland Sanitary District; MGS = Mandalay Generating Station; SCI = Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicate commercial shipping lanes. The black line encircles the region of interest. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.4 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.
An image of modeled sea surface current directions used to predict oil movement from May 20 to May 25, immediately following the Refugio Oil Spill (2015). Source: SCCOOS; Figure credit: B. Emery and L. Washburn/UCSB.
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Daily snapshots of oil transport simulations (blue dots) based on near-real time sea surface current direction and speeds (black arrows) from May 20 to 25, 2015, the days just after the Refugio oil spill. Yellow triangles represent SCCOOS high frequency radar (HFR) observation stations. PTC = Point Conception; RFG = Refugio State Beach; COP = Coal Oil Point. Not pictured is a HFR station at Gaviota, which was temporarily installed for one and half months following the spill (currently no longer active, see http://washburnlab.msi.ucsb.edu/mtu1) to address local data gaps. Not labeled is the yellow triangle/HFR station on Santa Cruz Island. Pink lines indicated commercial shipping lanes. The full oil transport model simulation can be viewed online. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.5 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Vessel Traffic
Map: Vessel Traffic Patterns
A map showing traffic patterns of large commercial shipping vessels through the Sanctuary (2008, 2010, 2014). Data source: USCG AIS data, processed by NMFS; Figure credit: MSWGSS 2016.
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Traffic patterns of large commercial vessels (cargo and tanker vessels) in the Santa Barbara Channel region for 2008, 2010, and 2014. The number of commercial ship transits is shown, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data transmitted from ships. Vessels transiting to and from the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach that pass by the northern Channel Islands use either the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme around the north side of the islands, or take routes south of the islands. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.12 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Map: Vessel Groundings
A map showing vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016.Data source: Vessel Assist; Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.
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Reported vessel grounding locations from 1999 to 2016 are shown in the map above. Not all groundings in the CINMS database are included as coordinates are unavailable for some grounding events. For more information, consult Figure App.C.3.1 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Research
Trends: Active Permits
Annual number of unique research projects (green) and active research permits (red) in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) database for research permits in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) from 2010 to 2016. One permit could contain multiple projects. Data source: B. Owens/ CDFW; Figure credit: NOAA.
Number of projects with active CDFW research permits in CINMS by habitat type. Active permits only include those that are currently in use; non-student permits are issued for three years and student permits are issued for only one year. Student permits issued before June 6, 2015 were not included in this summary.
Human Impacts
Contaminants
Contaminants in Mussels
Trends: Arsenic
A figure showing a time series of arsenic found in mussel tissue from Santa Cruz Island from 1986 to 2010. Figure credit: D. Whitall/NOAA, Mussel Watch.
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Time series of arsenic (as μg/g dry weight) in Mytilus spp. at Fraser Point, Santa Cruz Island is shown above. Data is from NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program (monitored 1986-2010). Arsenic values have been slowly declining in Mytilus spp tissue. Arsenic can impact a number of enzymes and has a widespread effects on a number of organ systems. There are multiple potential explanations for this finding, including limited spatial resolution, limited recent data, possible return to background levels consistent with the southern California mainland after remediation, or improved instrumentation and analytics that have been developed since data collection began. Due to this, more through research and data collection is required to confirm this trend. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.2 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: Iron
A figure showing the trends over time of iron found in mussel tissue from Santa Cruz Island from 1986 to 2010. Figure credit: D. Whitall/NOAA, Mussel Watch.
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Time series of iron (as μg/g dry weight) in Mytilus spp. at Fraser Point, Santa Cruz Island is shown above. Data is from NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program (monitored 1986-2010). Iron values have been slowly declining in Mytilus spp. tissue. There are multiple potential explanations for this finding, including limited spatial resolution, limited recent data, possible return to background levels consistent with the southern California mainland after remediation, or improved instrumentation and analytics that have been developed since data collection began. Due to this, more through research and data collection is required to confirm this trend. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.3 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: Silver
A figure showing the trends over time of silver found in mussel tissue from Santa Cruz Island from 1986 to 2010. Figure credit: D. Whitall/NOAA, Mussel Watch.
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Time series of silver (as μg/g dry weight) in Mytilus spp. at Fraser Point, Santa Cruz Island is shown above. Data is from NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program (monitored 1986-2010). Silver values have been slowly declining in Mytilus spp. tissue. There are multiple potential explanations for this finding, including limited spatial resolution, limited recent data, possible return to background levels consistent with the southern California mainland after remediation, or improved instrumentation and analytics that have been developed since data collection began. Due to this, more through research and data collection is required to confirm this trend. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.4 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: Heavy metals
A figure showing a coastwide comparison of heavy metals found in mussel tissue from 1986 to 2010. Figure credit: D. Apeti/NOAA, Mussel Watch.
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This graph is a California coastwide comparison of total extractables (TE) from Mytilus spp. tissue for heavy metals. Data is from NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program (monitored 1986-2010). The horizontal lines of the red box illustrate the 25th, median, and 75th percentiles, while the top and bottom whiskers represent the 10th and 90th percentiles. Black dots are data points from collection sites and the green ellipsoids represent mean concentration values for metals from sites within CINMS (n = 3). There are multiple potential explanations for this finding, including limited spatial resolution, limited recent data, possible return to background levels consistent with the southern California mainland after remediation, or improved instrumentation and analytics that have been developed since data collection began. Due to this, more through research and data collection is required to confirm this trend. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.5 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: PAHs
A figure showing levels of cancer-causing petroleum-linked chemicals found in the Channel Islands (blue) and offshore sites (red). Figure credit: D. Apeti/NOAA, Mussel Watch.
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Mean Total Extractables (TE) for individual Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons or PAHs are compared between Channel Islands (blue) and other offshore sites (red). PAHs are organic contaminants that are carcinogenic. Invertebrate species typically have limited ability to metabolize PAHs; however, they typically do not biomagnify because vertebrates can metabolize them more easily. Concentrations of PAHs are variable, but concentrations at CINMS are usually equivalent, if not lower than other offshore locations. There are multiple potential explanations for this finding, including limited spatial resolution, limited recent data, possible return to background levels consistent with the southern California mainland after remediation, or improved instrumentation and analytics that have been developed since data collection began. Due to this, more through research and data collection is required to confirm this trend. For more information, consult Figure App.E.11.6 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Marine Debris
Map: debris in CalCOFI trawls (historical)
A figure showing the percentage of sampling stations with plastic debris across three sampling years. Figure credit: Gilfillan et al. 2009.
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Variation over time in percentage of stations from winter CalCOFI cruises with plastic micro-debris. Micro-debris was present in more than 50 percent of samples at each time period. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.15 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: debris in CalCOFI trawls (historical)
A map showing the distribution, concentration, and characteristics of plastic micro-debris in net samples from the CalCOFI region from winter cruises across three sampling years. Figure credit: Gilfillan et al. 2009.
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Spatial distribution, concentration, and characteristics of plastic micro-debris in net samples from the CalCOFI region from winter cruises in (A) 1984, (B) 1994, and (C) 2007. Open circles indicate no plastic debris detected and filled circle diameter are proportional to particle concentrations (number per cubic meter). There was no relationship between the numerical concentration of particles and distance from shore, the presumed source of the majority of debris. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.16 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Noise
Listening Stations
A map showing the location of historic (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations around the Sanctuary and Santa Barbara Channel. Map credit: M. Cajandig/NOAA.
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Previous (green dots) and current (yellow dots) passive acoustic monitoring stations in and around CINMS are shown along with several sources of anthropogenic noise: ports and harbors, oil platforms, shipping lanes, and military testing zones. SIO = Scripps Institution of Oceanography; NOAA NRS = Noise Reference Station. For more information, consult Figure App.C.2.8 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trends: Sound Levels
A graph showing noise levels in the Santa Barbara Channel from 2007 to 2016. 40Hz bands are shown in red, 90Hz bands are shown in blue. Data sources: McKenna et al. 2012, J. Hildebrand/ UCSD unpub. data; Figure credit: J. Hildebrand/SIO UCSD.
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Ambient noise levels in the Santa Barbara Channel represented as monthly averages for 40 Hz (red) and 90 Hz (blue) bands. The decline in ambient noise levels observed between 2007 and 2010 reflects decreased regional shipping activity during that time. While ambient noise has increased since 2010, it has not returned to the higher levels observed in 2007 to 2008. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.13 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Seabird disturbance
Comparison: By Region
A figure showing rates of human-caused distubance to seabird breeding and nesting sites across three regions: the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR). Figure credit: Robinette et al. 2015.
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Rates of human-caused disturbance to seabird breeding and roosting sites were low on Santa Cruz Island (SC) compared to other sites across the south coast (SCSR), central coast (CCSR), and north central coast (NCCSR) study regions. Activities noted as causing disturbance at SC in 2012 to 2013 were human power boats, recreational fishing boats, recreational power boats, commercial fishing boats, airplanes, and helicopters. SD = San Diego, PV = Palos Verdes Peninsula, SB = Shell Beach, MD = Montana de Oro, EB = Estero Bluffs, MO = Montara, PR = Point Reyes, BO = Bodega. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.9 in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Trend: oiled beachcast seabirds
Monthly average seabird deposition (seabirds/km) and percent oiled observed on mainland beach segments in the Southern California Bight by coastal ocean mammal and bird education and research surveys (BeachCOMBERS) program volunteers.
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Significant oiling events were identified when the percent oiled birds exceeded 9% percent mortality. For more information, consult BeachCombers_seabird_deposition_oiling in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Whale entanglement
Trends: By Species
Number of confirmed reports of large whales, including humpback, gray, and blue whales entangled in fishing gear, ropes and other sources along the U.S. West Coast from 2000 to 2019. Graph from NOAA Fisheries 2019 West Coast Whale Entanglement Summary Report. Last updated April 2020. In the legend, color represents the different species of whales and “n” represents the total number of that species confirmed entangled in the study period. Of the 46 confirmed whale entanglements, 30 were reported off California, 6 of which originated from southern California (Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties). However, the location where entangled animals are observed and reported does not necessarily reflect where and when the entanglement originated. Figure credit: D. Lawson/NMFS WCRO PRD.
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Annual number of large whale entanglements reported along the U.S. West Coast. Reports of entanglements have increased in recent years. Factors contributing to this trend likely include an increasing overlap of whale activities (e.g., migrating, feeding) with human activities that have the potential to entangle whales (e.g., fishing, buoy installation) and an increase in on-the-water observers likely to report entangled individuals (e.g., whale watching, recreational boating). Confirmed entanglements from 2000 to 2019 of gray and humpback whales include 11 from Santa Barbara and two from Ventura counties. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.10b in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Map: Whale Overlap with Fishing
Blue
A map showing the risk posed to blue whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.
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Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) for blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.11a in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Fin
A map showing the risk posed to fin whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.
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Co-occurrence score (risk) based on multi-year average whale density and fishing effort for 11 fisheries is shown for quarters three (Q3) and four (Q4) fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). In Santa Barbara from July to December, there is an elevated risk area for multiple whale species with the California halibut/white seabass set gillnet, hagfish trap, rock crab trap, sablefish, spiny lobster trap, and spot prawn trap fisheries. For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.11b in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.Humpback
A map showing the risk posed to humpback whales from 11 fixed gear fisheries (a type of commercial fishing) in the Southern California Bight. Figure credit: Saez et al. 2013.